In addition to didactic presentations the program includes the use of case studies, small group work sessions, and classroom simulated exercises that help participants examine strategic business assumptions about quality and cost in a competitive marketplace. Guest experts are often invited to speak on topics of immediate relevance to our participants as a means of providing a broader perspective on forces changing today’s current business environment.

The GlaxoSmithKline program has a strong emphasis on applied learning; Alumni are asked to discuss key management challenges in their organizations with their supervisors, or administrative partners prior to their arrival on campus. The program concludes with an Executive Forum – a two-and-a-half day event in which the participants’ administrators come to campus to share in the educational activities. The primary purpose of the Executive Forum is to provide each Alumni and his/her administrator with an opportunity to collaborate together on specific management challenges and to do so away from their workplace. This "mini-retreat" is an essential part of the program; no applicant is accepted without being nominated by his/her administrator, and with the administrator’s commitment to attending the Executive Forum.